Share this:

Like this:

Related

Post navigation

54 thoughts on “An update on The History of Byzantium project”

Of course we’re more than happy to wait – as with podcasting in general, it seems a little uncharitable to expect deadlines in return for donations. I hope the storytelling goes well, and thank you for giving us this much already!

To prevent some of the issues of long download times, you may consider splitting long episodes into smaller chuncks, uploaded at the same time. That way people can listen to the first part while the second downloads.

On another note, for when you make another questions episode. What is a chataphract, I have often herad of them as byzantine heavy cavalry, but in the histoy of Rom they appered in the armies of the Parthians and Palmyrenes, as far back as the time of Crassus.

Thanks for the advice and kind words. Cataphract is the word that’s come to us from the Greek meaning armoured cavalry. So technically any armed horseman could be called it. The Parthians and the Steppe peoples had them before the Romans but once the Romans adapted then everyone could be said to have them.

While I am still a bit behind on the podcast, I listened to this one and thank you for the update; I figured that you were busy with something else. Continue with the awesome work and I look forward to future episodes. And thanks for the update on downloading; it was much appreciated.

Thank you for the update Robin, I’m very excited to hear about the changes that will be coming this summer and I’m sure all the listeners appreciate being kept up to date on the project. I was a little worried when I saw the title “An update on the history of Byzantium Project” but you’ve put my fears to rest. I’m excited and looking forward to this large new episode!

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your podcast. The History of Rome was the first podcast I really got into, and it left me really interested in The Eastern Roman (i.e. Byzantine) Empire, which I knew hardly anything about. So, after the History of Rome ended, I was overjoyed to find your podcast. I really enjoy it, and you do such a wonderful job! Keep up the good work!

Hi Robin, thank you so much for this wonderful podcast! take all the time you need for preparing the new episode! I really appreciate all your work and effort especially considering that you don’t really make any money out of it, and in the same time you have other responsibilities, like your day time job.
This is the best podcast I ever found and listened to!
take care and all the best with all your endeavors!

I think you’re doing an excellent job. We’re all so very fortunate that someone as competent and passionate as you decided to continue Mr. Duncan’s efforts in giving us all this oral version of Rome’s history. Please take all the time you need, every episode so far has been well worth the wait.

Dear Mr. Robin,
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy listening to your podcasts. I’m in eighth grade and I really love history and never in my life have i found such concise, detailed and, well, hardcore history, and to prove it, here! You see, in basically every source I’ve read when I was researching on the 540 Sack of Antioch, the response was pretty straightforward: in March 540 the Persians were on the march and they sacked Antioch. THE END. Well, honestly, your podcasts are the first of the group of podcasts i had ever heard of in my life and it is the best (sorry Mr. Duncan, i’m busy somewhere around Valerian). I HOPE YOU WON’T END IN THAT CLIFFHANGER. Please don’t and tell us listeners of you need some help. Anyways, good luck in your plans about the History of Byzantium.

Hi,
I listened to Mike Duncans “History of Rome” and happily found out that there is a continuation. I just started listening to your podcast, so I can´t say a lot about it. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to produce it.
And don´t worry about being late to your own deadlines. You provide this service for free, and we get a lot back. Take the time you need.

Please take all the time you need and your life allows. I am reminded of Shelby Foote’s comment when someone observed that it was taking him twice as long to write his three volume “The Civil War: A Narrative” as it took to actually fight the American Civil War. Foote replied, “There were a lot more of them than there is of me.”

Dude this is message like nothing you have got before, but I’m that silent listener you never hear from you don’t know you have. 1. I have had to revert to listening to the history of Rome (which is awesome by the way) for the 6th time since August last year because I have had to wait for your return for far too long. I have listen (on repeat) to history of Alexander, the history of our world, hannibal, British history, history of England, history of English, dan bloody carling!! And even Yale Greek podcasts, oh and Europe from its origins which was unreal by the way. I have lost my home, my child and a lot of money but it’s these podcasts that keep me amazed and dazzled in life. I miss my byzantine ! Bring it back soon, cheers steve

Looks like I’m headed back to “Rome ” now that “Revolutions” is on hiatus for a month, too, and “Hardcore History” is also in build mode.
Excited to hear your next installment, Robin. We understand; you can’t rush perfection (no pressure…LOL).

I managed to finish Gibbon’s ‘Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire’ recently, which covers the history of Byzantium extensively. It’s a truly enormous wedge of history, and I really feel for Robin’s plight here – I think it took Gibbon perhaps 20 years + to write it! I came across the following very moving passage near end of Volume 4, when he’d just finished covering the first 600 years or so (!):

“…six hundred years have rolled away, and the duration of a life or
reign is contracted to a fleeting moment: the grave is ever beside the
throne: the success of a criminal is almost instantly followed by the
loss of his prize and our immortal reason survives and disdains the
sixty phantoms of kings who have passed before our eyes, and faintly
dwell on our remembrance. The observation that, in every age and
climate, ambition has prevailed with the same commanding energy, may
abate the surprise of a philosopher: but while he condemns the vanity,
he may search the motive, of this universal desire to obtain and hold
the sceptre of dominion. ”

Sixty kings covered then, and still a number of volumes left to write! I’d suggest Robin “search the motive” as Gibbon put it and use selected reigns to illustrate his point. Otherwise the job is probably impossible.

Lovely quote :-) And good for you for reading the whole thing. I have not. But don’t worry about the project, I will finish it. I’m half way through recording the next episode. All delays are to do with my day job not the fault of Heraclius :-)